Perfect Chinese New Year gifts for your loved ones

If you’re looking for more than the usual red packets to gift your nearest and dearest to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Rat, we at Gafencu have curated a special collection of Chinese New Year gifts that are sure to add a special touch to your lunar festivities.

Blancpain’s Métiers d’Art Collection

As the Rat supercedes its porcine predecessor this Chinese New Year, luxury brand Blancpain is launching its very first watch with a porcelain dial designed and manufactured in its Métiers d’Art workshops – The Métiers d’Art Porcelaine special edition. Each unique timepiece features an enamel painting of three rats on a white gold case that is encircled with diamonds. Besides, the eight-piece collection is powered by a Calibre 1154 automatic movement, blending beautiful form with undeniable functionality in true style.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Year of the Rat Limited Edition

In celebration for this Chinese New Year, Johnnie Walker, the master of fine whiskies is launching its new Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Year of the Rat Limited Edition. The special cask is decorated with a rat on golden ingots, and comes with the rightly flavoured Johnnie Walker Blue Label whisky ‒ crafted by a group of expert blenders including Jim Beveridge who was named the Master Blender of the Year twice. Without a doubt, this should rank high on your Chinese New Year gifts list.

Piaget Altiplano with two rats

Honouring the zodiac animal of the upcoming Chinese New Year, the Swiss horology brand Piaget has altered the dial of its emblematic Piaget Altiplano to feature two white rats on a Grand Feu cloisonné enamel dial. The white gold case is further emphasised with dazzling diamonds to give it the perfect finishing touch. In addition, the luxury fashion maison is also launching the Possession collection for this festive season, offering a wide selection of Chinese New Year gifts for the watch lover in your life.

Vins d’Alsace food and wine pairing guide

Savouring authentic delicacies is an undeniable Chinese New Year tradition. The French wine-making region of Alsace is taking it up a notch by introducing a guide revealing which wine would be perfect for which dish. For instance, the Pinot Noir will go well with the traditional Hong Kong style dish of Poon Choi. It is indeed a very practical gift that will make this Chinese New Year dinner an unforgettable one for the taste buds.

Brunello Cucinelli’s Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year Special

Keeping up with the notion that the Lunar New Year is best celebrated with your loved ones, Italian fashion company Brunello Cucinelli is showcasing a specially curated collection. This ensemble is complete with useful gifts such as bags, scarves and sneakers for both men and women. With the colour red being its central motif, each product offers a vintage yet contemporary appeal.

Golden Double Serum

Inspired by the auspicious colours of the Chinese tradition ‒ red and gold – the French skincare manufacturer Clarins has revamped its Double Serum bottle for the Year of the Rat. With 21 strong anti-aging ingredients, the serum is an answer to a very radiant and youthful looking skin. Besides, the serum also optimises the five important skin functions ‒ regeneration, nutrition, hydration, oxygenation and protection to achieve flawless skin. At HK$900, the limited-edition serum is available online.

Autavia CNY 2020 Year of the Rat Special Edition

Luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer is introducing its exclusive collection Autavia CNY 2020 Year of the Rat Special Edition that pays tribute to Chinese culture. With a caseback that showcases a rat holding a steering wheel, the timepiece combines the brand’s roots in motor racing with the zodiac animal, making it a great gift for the rat year. Moreover, its red dial that has the 1 o’clock mark replaced by the Chinese character “鼠” is one of the stand out features of this product. Besides, the watch’s COSC-certified chronometer technology makes it a great present without any further doubts.

Rouge Unlimited

Described as the perfect gift for anyone who loves make-up, the Japanese cosmetic and skincare brand Shu Uemura launched its New Year collection. This #flamingreds series consists of six shades of limited edition matte lipsticks, three shades of lip amplifiers, a cleansing oil, eyebrow pencils and a foundation brush. With the colour red being the main colour of this collection, the Rouge Unlimited collection is sure to bring luck as a gift for the rat year.

Fabergé’s Rat Surprise

With over a hundred-year history of crafting beautiful ornaments for every occasion, Russian jeweller Fabergé, known for its egg-shaped pendants, continues this legacy with its latest series of Palais Tsarskoye Selo Red Lockets. Among the collection, the locket with the rat surprise is a perfect gift for the rat year. A 18K gold pendant enhanced with red guilloché enamel work and studded with diamonds opens to reveal a golden rat studded with shimmering diamonds. At HK$81,510, the Rat surprise jewelry is available for pre-order at Fabergé.com and at select Fabergé stockists.

Vacheron Constantin Metiers d’Art The Legend of Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rat

In time for the upcoming Chinese New Year, another renowned Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin is unveiling two versions of its new Vacheron Constantin Metiers d’Art The Legend of Chinese Zodiac – Year of the Rat. With only 12 pieces available for each version, one is rose gold / brown and the other is platinum / blue. The watch comes fitted with a Caliber 2460 G4 movement and is visually enhanced with the intricate crafting on its dial featuring a rat mounted on the centre.

One-of-a-kind watches to hit Only Watch Charity Auction 2019

The Only Watch Charity Auction has become something of a fixture on the calendars of haute horology enthusiasts the world over. Now in its eight iteration, the biennial event was first founded by Luc Pettavino to raise funds for his charitable organisation, the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy (AMM), which combats the rare Duchenne strain of the disease. It was the death of Pettavino’s son, Paul, who tragically succumbed to the condition at just 21, that inspired him to take up this worthy cause.

Not only do all proceeds from the Only Watch Charity Auction go towards research for the neuromuscular disorder (it has raised an eminently-worthy 40 million Swiss francs since its inception), this exclusive horological event also affords collectors the chance to acquire one-of-a-kind timepieces from the world’s best-loved brands. This year, the auction will feature 50 unique lots crafted by 52 watchmakers, all donated pro bono, which are set to go under the gavel in Geneva from 7 to 9 November. Below, we highlight seven of the most outstanding designs on offer.

Only Watch Charity Auction 2019 - Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked — Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked

First up is luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet with a unique white and rose gold Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked. This dual-tone interpretation of the model serves to heighten the architectural complexity and geometric shapes of the Code 11.59 layered case. Its central case, crafted from 18K rose gold and shaped in the brand’s iconic octagonal figure, sits sandwiched between an ultra-slim bezel, lugs and caseback, all burnished in a contrasting white gold hue. Its open-worked dial, meanwhile, provides an easy aperture through which to view the hand-wound skeletonised movement underneath.

Only Watch Charity Auction 2019 - Piaget's Altiplano Ultimate Automatic — Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Automatic

Another two-toned submission is an arresting blue and rose gold version of Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Automatic. While it’s a debut colour combination for the brand, this particular model already holds the distinction of being one of the world’s thinnest mechanical watches with a thickness of just 4.3mm. Indeed, it took the marque three years to bring this super-slim, open-worked design to life, with its watchmakers ultimately fashioning its Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P movement and case as one cohesive structure.

Only Watch Charity Auction 2019 - Jaquet Droz's Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic for Only Watch — Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic for Only Watch

For its part, Swiss haute horology label Jaquet Droz has also donated a superbly skeletonised watch to the charitable auction – the Grande Seconde Skelet-One Ceramic for Only Watch. Taking pride of place on its fascia is a smaller hour-and-minute subdial at 12 o’clock and a larger small seconds dial at 6 o’clock, both overlapping to form the brand’s iconic figure-eight emblem. This unique rendition, though, sees its rail-track, hands and strap all furbished in a vibrant red in honour of the flag of Monaco, where AMM is headquartered.

Only Watch Charity Auction 2019 - Montblanc's 1858 Split Second Chronograph Only Watch 2019 — Montblanc’s 1858 Split Second Chronograph Only Watch 2019

Not to be outdone, Montblanc has produced the stunning blue-on-titanium 1858 Split Second Chronograph Only Watch 2019. The deep azure dial, lovingly crafted from blue agate, a hard semiprecious stone, stands in sharp contrast to the white-and-red double chronograph scale that rings it. Inspired by the marque’s ’30s-era military-style timepieces, a telemeter encircles its outer reaches, while a snail-shaped tachymeter dominates its central fascia. Powering the entire 44mm design is the hand-wound, hand-finished MB M16.31 movement, enticingly visible through its transparent caseback.

Only Watch Charity Auction 2019 - Zenith's El Primero A386 Revival for Only Watch — Zenith’s El Primero A386 Revival for Only Watch

Meanwhile, to mark the 50th anniversary of its iconic 1969 El Primero, Zenith has served up the El Primero A386 Revival for Only Watch. A millimetre-accurate reproduction of the original, the only updates to its 37mm fascia are the use of sapphire crystal instead of acrylic and a new transparent caseback. As part of its celebrations, Zenith is further offering its lucky buyer a series of luxurious experiences, including a VIP visit to its Le Locle Manufacture, a lifetime warrantee and even an invitation to be a guest at the El Primero 50th Anniversary closing event in Geneva.

Only Watch Charity Auction 2019 - Patek Philippe's Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 — Patek Philippe’s Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010

Perhaps the most mechanically intricate design at the 2019 Only Watch Charity Auction, though, comes courtesy of Patek Philippe, the masterful marque behind some of the world’s most cutting-edge timepieces. Its submission this year, the Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, is a delightful stainless steel interpretation of the first modern grand-sonnerie in its current collection. It boasts a staggering 20 complications in all, including two world firsts – an acoustic alarm chiming at a preselected time, and a date repeater that sounds the date on demand. Its patented reversible dual-dial case, meanwhile, has been burnished alternately in a striking black ebony and an unusual salmon pink hue. From start to finish, this expansively-acreaged statement timepiece stands as a tribute to the finest haute horological arts.

Text: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Only Watch Charity Auction

Time to Shine: Seven superlative designs from Salon de TE’s World Brand Piazza

A must-visit event on the calendars of any haute horology enthusiast, the Salon de TE fair thankfully lived up to its hype when it rolled into town last month. Now in its seventh year, the horological affair stands as one of the region’s premier timepiece-themed events, featuring 144 brands from 22 countries in 2018 alone.

Not one to rest on its laurels, this year’s mammoth showcase boasted a staggering 840 exhibitors across its five-day itinerary. Perhaps the most noteworthy watches, though, came courtesy of the World Brand Piazza, one of the five specially-themed zones at Salon de TE. Sponsored by Prince Jewellery & Watch, it served up a plethora of eye-popping designs from some of the best-loved haute horology houses. While it would be folly to highlight the high-specced specifications of every piece, the seven statement timepieces below merit particular mention…

First up is renowned German watchmaker Glashütte Original with its PanoInverse – Limited Edition. Restricted to just 25 pieces, this timeless platinum iteration comes replete with an evocatively engraved skeleton dial that draws all attention squarely to its butterfly bridge and the manual-winding Calibre 66-08 movement beneath. Further fitted with an unusual off-centre hours / minutes dial and a small seconds subdial, dark blue Louisiana alligator leather straps complete its sophisticated appeal.

Another classically refined design comes courtesy of Jaquet Droz, with the newest interpretation of its Grande Seconde Dual Time seeing its much-loved figure-eight dual-dial updated to feature an azimuthal map of the world as viewed from the North Pole in its lower home time display. The 24-hour time indicator, now split into two distinct 12-hour day / night time segments, is another deft touch, while the local time takes pride of place in the upper half of its fascia. Available in a steel or rose gold case, it also comes with the option of opaline or Grand Feu enamel dials.

Taking a more minimalist approach is luxury watchmaker Breguet in the form of its Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat 5367. Showcasing the marque’s renowned handcraftsmanship skills, this is the first-ever Grand Feu enamel dial in its Grandes Complications collection. Fitted with its iconic blue steel hour and minute hands, the only conspicuous exception allowed on its Arabic-numeralled fascia is a dazzling tourbillon perched at 5 o’clock.

Athletically-inclined enthusiasts, meanwhile, could hardly be blamed for gravitating towards Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms Automatique. Though adhering to the same design conceits – luminescent hands, numerals and hour markers, and a ratcheted unidirectional rotating bezel – that made the Fifty Fathoms one of the world’s most iconic dive watches, this new edition features an exceptional “Red Gold Case” and a debut blue ceramic dial for the collection. Set on blue calf leather straps, this maritimepiece is water-resistant to depths of 300m.

Also taking nautical exploration as its main motif is CORUM’s Admiral AC-ONE 45 Openworked Tourbillon. Interjecting an element of the outré, its avant-garde dodecagonal case boasts an exquisite skeletonised dial, revealing the cutting-edge CO 298 movement – created specifically for this model – underneath. With a power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock and a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, the pride of this open-worked black-on-rose-gold watch is undoubtedly the intricate tourbillon resting at 6 o’clock, which offers the high-precision accuracy required for any true seafarer.

That selfsame black-and-rose-gold motif was evident – albeit with a haute joaillerie twist – in another horological standout: Piaget’s expansively real-estated Emperador Coussin XL 700P. While its cushion-shaped pink gold case measures a staggering 46.5mm, it nevertheless feels slim on the wrist, courtesy of its ultrathin 700P movement, which is perfectly highlighted through the use of the high-end brand’s iconic “reverse-construction” dial design. Ringed with an attractive diamond-studded bezel, only 118 pieces of this elegant creation will ever be made.

Perhaps the most eye-wateringly spectacular mash-up of high-end jewellery and haute horology, though, comes in the form of Franck Muller’s Rainbow Invisible Setting Tourbillon. Fitted with a glimmering gem-set tourbillon at 6 o’clock, its true attraction lies in the staggering array of precious gemstones that punctuates its acreage. Replete with 122 baguette-cut diamonds and 21 baguette-cut coloured sapphires on its dial, and burnished with a further 108 diamonds and 40 coloured sapphires on its rounded case, this shimmering statement timepiece added an additional dimension of sparkle to the glitteringly successful showing at this year’s Salon de TE.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

All Time Highs: Clock these evergreen classic timepieces…

1. Happy Sport watch in 18K rose gold with diamonds by Chopard
2. Lady Jour des Fleurs watch in white gold with pavéd diamonds, spinels, tsavorites and sapphires by Van Cleef & Arpels
3. Charms Romance Parisienne Rencontre watch in rose gold with diamonds, spessartites, mother-of-pearl and sapphires by Van Cleef & Arpels
4. Baignoire Allongée watch with 18K pink gold case by Cartier

Four-piece porcelain tray set by Hermès
Round porcelain dish; metallic vide poche in porcelain; silver vide poche with hand-painted finishing, all by Tiffany & Co.
All lipsticks by Gucci

1. Emperador Coussin XL 700P watch with diamond-set 18K pink gold case by Piaget
2. Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date watch with 18K 5N pink gold case by Vacheron Constantin
3. Seamaster Diver 300M watch in 18K Sedna™ gold with ceramic bezel by Omega

Dalian chess board game in bullcalf leather; lacquered small box with wood cover, both by Hermès
Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky

1. Arceau 78 watch with stainless steel case by Hermès
2. Portofino Chronograph watch with 18K 5N gold case by IWC
3. Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II watch in Oystersteel by Rolex

Lacquered wood tray with leather handle; Celebes lacquered small bowl with wood cover, both by Hermès
Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky

1. Hortensia Bolero watch with diamond-set 18K yellow gold case by Chaumet
2. Possession watch in 18K white gold with pavéd diamonds by Piaget
3. Montblanc Bohème Automatic Date watch
4. J12 watch in white ceramic and steel by Chanel

Bear and Block three-piece China set; Everyday Objects crystal glass apple box with sterling silver lid; Tiffany x Steiff Return to Tiffany Lover teddy bear in mohair; all by Tiffany & Co.
Beauty products by Chanel

1. De Ville Trésor watch with 18K Moonshine™ gold case by Omega
2. Overseas Self-Winding watch with diamond-set stainless steel case by Vacheron Constantin
3. Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 watch in 18K yellow gold with diamonds by Rolex
4. Portofino Automatic 34 watch with diamond-set 18K 5N gold case by IWC

Tartan Dye cashmere; Fenetres Sur Ciel boxes in hand-painted lacquer, all by Hermès
Round porcelain dish; metallic vide poche in porcelain; Bear and Block frame in sterling silver, all by Tiffany & Co.

1. Midnight Landscapes White Creek watch in white gold with mother-ofpearl by Van Cleef & Arpels
2. L.U.C XP watch with stainless steel case by Chopard
3. Panthères et Colibri watch in 18K rhodium-finished white gold with diamonds by Cartier

Celebes lacquered small, medium boxes and centrepiece, all topped with wood covers, all by Hermès

Photos: Jack Law
Art Direction & Styling: San Wong

Golden Hour: It’s time to say yes to responsibly sourced gold

“How many carats?” While slightly impertinent, it’s a question that most jewellery aficionados could answer easily enough. Should they, however, be challenged with: “Where does it come from?”, they might be harder pressed to provide a definitive answer.

Indeed, it was a query that even Caroline Scheufele, the Co-President of Chopard, clearly struggled with. When asked that very question at the Academy Awards several years back, her inability to respond prompted her to review the company’s sourcing protocols. Recalling the revelation sparked by the impromptu enquiry, she said: “I really had no idea. As with most jewellers, we tended to buy our gold in bulk and never thought to ask where it actually came from. Once you’ve been made aware of the related issues, however, it’s something you just can’t turn your back on.”

Indeed, the issues in question are murky, tangled and, all too often, tainted with the blood of innocents. The gold industry is huge, with its mining operations extending across 60 countries and providing employment to over 15 million people. Unfortunately, it’s also known for being the root cause of a vast number of environmental and humanitarian problems, with the workers toiling in the gold mines – many of them underage – being subject to long hours, low pay and dangerous conditions.

In recent years, though, the more conscious customers and jewellers have become only too aware of the problems wrought by the gold industry. This has led many of the most well-known names in the sector – including Chopard, Gucci and Boucheron – to commit to using only eco-friendly or recycled or responsibly sourced gold. This has seen the emergence of several virtuous certification systems of which two – Fairmined Gold and Fairtrade Gold – are well on the way to being recognised as global standards for responsibly sourced gold. Some brands, like Bulgari, meanwhile, also abide by the codes of the Responsible Jewellery Council.

The high profile accorded to such initiatives is, however, unfortunately at odds with their actual success. Indeed, of the 3,300 tonnes of total gold mined every year, only a paltry few 100kg are actually bona fide responsibly sourced.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Princess Layers: Master the fine art of layering jewellery

Layering jewellery is as tricky as layering clothes… too many layers, and you risk looking like a Christmas tree, too little, and all your efforts go to waste. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stack them up, when and how you feel like, because, let’s admit it, if done right, layered jewellery brings out your most chic self. Check out our favourite ways of layering jewellery below:

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Bare-faced Chic: Tracking the rise of the irresistible skeleton dial

As any watch enthusiast will only too willingly inform you, the movement of a high-end timepiece represents the very pinnacle of precision engineering, with each one painstakingly crafted from hundreds of disparate pieces to produce something that is far greater than the sum of its many parts. For much of horological history, however, these mechanical wonders have been secreted away, stashed beneath the dazzling dials designed to ensure that the true engine room is seldom glimpsed by the eyes of the uninitiated.

Thankfully, the last few decades have gone some way towards remedying this, largely on account of the rise of the temptingly transparent skeleton dial. Here, the emphasis is on leaving the watch’s fascia wholly unadorned and see-through on one or both sides, allowing the inner workings of these high-end chronograms to be easily – and continually – observed. While many of the manifestations of this particular trend are undeniably marvellous, seven of the current crop are particularly memorable…

Skeleton dial watches - Breguet's Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395 — Breguet’s Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395

First up is Breguet, the innovative Swiss marque credited with creating the world’s first tourbillon, which recently unveiled the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395. Here, the open-worked fascia acts to emphasise the super-slim 3mm-thick Calibre 581 movement powering its new self-winding tourbillon, one that is said to be 50 percent lighter than any of its predecessors. Housed in a fluted rose gold case, this wonderfully slim watch’s carriage weighs in at just 0.29g.

Skeleton dial watches - Piaget's Emperador Coussin 1270S — Piaget’s Emperador Coussin 1270S

Elegant super-slim design is also the stock in trade of Piaget, as exemplified by the wafer-thin skeletonised lines of its tourbillon-incorporating Emperador Coussin 1270S. Measuring just 5.05mm, its Calibre 1270S movement was custom-built to fit its cushion-shaped white gold case. Here, the skeleton dial reveals the inner workings of its motor and tourbillon, as well as an off-centre four o’clock hour-and-minute subdial.

Skeleton dial watches - Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Red Gold — Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Red Gold

A more minimalist translucent offering comes courtesy of Jaquet Droz’s Grande Seconde Skelet-One Red Gold, which once again sports the brand’s classic black-on-rose-gold motif. Pride of place on its fascia goes to a smaller hour-and-minute subdial at 12 o’clock and a larger small seconds subdial at six o’clock, both of which overlap to form the brand’s iconic figure-eight emblem. Its transparent caseback, meanwhile, facilitates a fascinating view of the double barrels that house its 68-hour power reserve.

Skeleton dial watches - Hublot's Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon Blue — Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon Blue

Eschewing classic contours for a more athletic approach is Hublot, with this affectation made manifest in its recently-unveiled Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon Blue. Released in a limited edition of just 100, this aggressively-styled chronogram is the marque’s first barrel-shaped model to incorporate blue occlusioned carbon fibre. With its spacious appearance belying its intricate construction, its knowing design provides an unhindered view of its debutante HUB6020 movement. The tourbillon proper, all the while, takes place of pride at six o’clock, while a five-day power reserve indicator can be found at eight o’clock.

Skeleton dial watches - Skeleton X Magma by Ulysse Nardin — Skeleton X Magma by Ulysse Nardin

Another bold carbon fibre creation is on offer from Ulysse Nardin in the unmistakable form of the Skeleton X Magma. Burnished in an eye-catching lava red, the process of combining carbon fibre with red, marbled epoxy resin is said to make each case quite unique. The skeleton dial here comes punctuated with a rectangle motif – anchored on the left and right by Roman numeral hour markers – through which its UN-371 movement is immediately discernible.

Skeleton dial watches - Zenith’s Defy Inventor — Zenith’s Defy Inventor

Those of an avant-garde disposition, meanwhile, should ensure they get to properly appraise Zenith’s Defy Inventor. Housed in a titanium case that incorporates a bezel fashioned from meteorite-derived Aeronith, the world’s lightest titanium-composite, the pièce de résistance of its open-work design is undoubtedly the Zenith Oscillato. A groundbreaking single silicon component, this comprises an all-in-one balance wheel, balance spring and lever, which is said to grant the movement unprecedented precision and stability. Regrettably, just 10 pieces of this cutting-edge chronogram are destined to ever see the light of day.

Skeleton dial watches - Dual Time Resonance Sapphire by Armin Strom — Dual Time Resonance Sapphire by Armin Strom

Arguably, superiority in the skeleton dial stakes this time around, though, must be accorded to Armin Strom, the independent Swiss maison credited with creating the world’s first-ever such watch. Intriguingly, its latest offering – the Dual Time Resonance Sapphire – features not one but two separate movements, each tethered to a different time zone, as well as the brand’s revolutionary Resonance Clutch Spring, which connects and synchronises the two mechanisms, ensuring chronographic precision is never compromised. Complete with a 24-hour indicator at six o’clock, its outsized all-sapphire-crystal case facilitates 360-degree observation of the outré movement within – a fitting evolution of the skeleton-dial wristwatch the marque pioneered more than 40 years ago.

Text: Tenzing Thondup

Sunlight Collection by Piaget lights up the jewellery scene in Hong Kong

Haute jewellery maison Piaget continues to pay homage to one of nature’s most potent symbols – the sun – with its latest Sunlight Collection of jewellery.

The brand’s savoir faire for the past six decades, in this collection, Piaget depicts the sun in all its majesty through opal and mother-of-pearl disc pendants from which large crescents of diamond rays radiate outwards.

Also on offer are a wide range of dazzling earrings – studs with diamond rays, hoops with diamonds that shimmer like sunshine and tassel earrings, whose long chains resemble beams of light. Meant for the women whose warmth equals none other than the sun, what better way to embrace summer that with the radiant Sunlight Collection?

White gold jewellery: A white hue that may be right for you

Humanity’s love affair with gold predates the dawn of civilisation and stretches back to at least 4000 BC. Historically, it’s always been the pursuit of the shiny yellow incarnation of this most precious of metals that has set brother against brother, toppled dynasties and seen countless thousands perish in search of a promising seam.

In times more contemporary, however, it seems the metal’s natural lustre may have lost something of its allure. Increasingly, the world’s leading jewellery houses are opting for artfully-rendered alloys, an indulgence that has seen pink and, particularly, white gold become the mainstays of many marques’ latest collections.

The ever-wider use of white gold is down to two factors. Firstly, as an alloy made from fusing the relatively softer gold with palladium, a firmer metal, it is stronger than its constituent parts, yet very malleable. It is then coated with rhodium, which enhances both its shine and its strength, making it perfect for fashioning intricately-designed trinkets.

Secondly, for the uninitiated, white gold is visibly indistinguishable from platinum, a far rarer metal. This gives white gold jewellery the look and feel of items valued well above its actual price tag.

Despite such advantages, there is something of a downside. Over time – and as the rhodium coating begins to wear thin – yellow flecks begin to show through, visually degrading the appeal of any such jewellery pieces. Thankfully, however, a suitably skilled jeweller can reapply a layer of rhodium on them. This not only restores their lustre but also ensures they can be passed down from generation to generation as wholly unblemished heirlooms.

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay

Star Power: Cosmic jewellery in contemporary culture

Despite personkind having first set foot on the moon some 50 years ago, intermittently successful unmanned missions to Mars and, most recently, candid snaps of a black hole at play, outer space remains very much the Great Unknown, a region that fascinates and terrifies mere earthbound mortals in almost equal measure. The Final Frontier, as it was memorably billed by one TV sci-fi franchise, continues to inspire in countless mediums, with its depths explored almost as thoroughly by the human imagination as by any high-tech NASA probe.

With the night sky seemingly a celestial diamond array, it’s no surprise that haute joaillerie brands have so oft looked to the heavens for inspiration, with the sun, the moon and the stars frequently motifed in cosmic jewellery designs by many of the leading marques. This is evident in such high-end offerings as Cartier’s Les Galaxies de Cartier collection or Piaget’s Sunlight Escape collection.

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While some jewellery designers have turned to otherworldly materials to render their works in a truly stellar style – most notably milky quartz, moonstones or rock crystals – others have opted for iconic astral avatars. Of the latter, this has seen Chopard’s Happy Diamonds pendant necklace give the sun star billing, while Buccellati’s black-gold Macri cuff bracelet has more than a little of the night about it.

Of course, given this is the world of haute joaillerie, regardless of any piece’s lunar leanings or solar stylings, the price of any cosmic jewellery, too, is almost guaranteed to be somewhat astronomical.

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Four-piece porcelain tray set by Hermès Round porcelain dish; metallic vide poche in porcelain; silver vide poche with hand-painted finishing, all by Tiffany & Co. All lipsticks by Gucci

1. Emperador Coussin XL 700P watch with diamond-set 18K pink gold case by Piaget 2. Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date watch with 18K 5N pink gold case by Vacheron Constantin 3. Seamaster Diver 300M watch in 18K Sedna™ gold with ceramic bezel by Omega

Dalian chess board game in bullcalf leather; lacquered small box with wood cover, both by Hermès Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky

1. Arceau 78 watch with stainless steel case by Hermès 2. Portofino Chronograph watch with 18K 5N gold case by IWC 3. Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II watch in Oystersteel by Rolex

Lacquered wood tray with leather handle; Celebes lacquered small bowl with wood cover, both by Hermès Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky

1. Hortensia Bolero watch with diamond-set 18K yellow gold case by Chaumet 2. Possession watch in 18K white gold with pavéd diamonds by Piaget 3. Montblanc Bohème Automatic Date watch 4. J12 watch in white ceramic and steel by Chanel

Bear and Block three-piece China set; Everyday Objects crystal glass apple box with sterling silver lid; Tiffany x Steiff Return to Tiffany Lover teddy bear in mohair; all by Tiffany & Co. Beauty products by Chanel

Tartan Dye cashmere; Fenetres Sur Ciel boxes in hand-painted lacquer, all by Hermès Round porcelain dish; metallic vide poche in porcelain; Bear and Block frame in sterling silver, all by Tiffany & Co.

1. Midnight Landscapes White Creek watch in white gold with mother-ofpearl by Van Cleef & Arpels 2. L.U.C XP watch with stainless steel case by Chopard 3. Panthères et Colibri watch in 18K rhodium-finished white gold with diamonds by Cartier